An Islamic group known as Ikwan in Ondo state, Nigeria, said the activities of the Boko Haram group had been contrary to Islamic teachings.
The state missionaries and Ikwan Secretary General, Alhaji Moshud Hasbunallah and Malam Musa Olamoju, regretted that Boko Haram's actions claimed the lives of innocent citizens.
"The Boko Haram sect does not fight for the interests of Islam and thus they have nothing to do with Islam," they said in a statement as quoted. Daily Trust (19 / 1).
“We strongly condemn Boko Haram activities in this country. They desecrate Islam. Nigerian Muslims and Christians must unite and fight against the group. Muslim leaders, particularly in the North, must be at the forefront of confronting the group. "
"Despite the fact that members of the Boko Haram sect live in their midst, there are more Muslim clerics in the North, who should know the implications of the murderous sect's actions on the image of Islam and Muslims."
In another development, the Nigerian military announced that it had succeeded in apprehending the six leaders of Boko Haram, Wednesday (18/1). The six men were arrested following a tip about their hiding place in the northeastern city of Maiduguri.
The President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, has declared a state of emergency in areas hit by riots caused by Boko Haram. He described the Boko Haram group as a "cancer" of the body that is trying to destroy Africa's most populous nation and has vowed to crush the group accused of the bloody attacks.
"I declare a state of emergency in several areas of the country," he said, naming parts of the Borno states, where Boko Haram is based, as well as Yobe, Niger and Plateau - four Muslim-majority states in northern Nigeria.
On January 9, President Jonathan stated that he suspected a number of government and security officials to be sympathizers of Boko Haram. "Some of them (Boko Haram members) are in the government, some are in parliament and some are even in the judicial system," Jonathan said. quoted by the BBC. "Some of them are even inside the armed forces, police and security agents," he added.
In their actions, the Boko Haram group often attacks police stations and government buildings. The group was founded in 2002 in Maiduguri, the mother of the Koya state of Borno. Its founder, Mohammed Yusuf, was killed in clashes with soldiers in 2009.
Its members are many former lecturers, students, and unemployed. Its members pray in a separate mosque and do not interact with the surrounding community. They have long beards and wear a red or black head covering.
Since its inception, Boko Haram has called for the adoption of Islamic Sharia in Nigeria's 36 states and rejects all things Western. Boko Haram itself means "Western education is a sin" (Western education is sinful) in Hausa, the vernacular of northern Nigerians. (Mel / Allafrica.com / OnIslam / bbc / ddhongkong.org). *
